SeaWorld Orlando will close Shamu Stadium for three months next year while refurbishments are completed. The main pool will be repainted, as well as new clear panels installed between the animals and the audience. Because of the stadium closure, the "One Ocean" show will close in early January and return in early April. In addition, the "Dine with Shamu" experience will also be on hiatus.

Nick Gollattscheck, SeaWorld Orlando spokesman, said, "This is the first time we've had to pause shows during stadium maintenance, but it's also the first time we've had to do this kind of maintenance...since the stadium opened in 1984." He also said that the work isn't due to any sort of safety concerns and no safety equipment will be changed during the downtime. "It's maintenance that has to be done with no water in the pool."

Since seeing Shamu is one of the park's biggest draws, they've developed another experience called "Shamu Up Close." This presentation will offer interactions both above and underwater and let guests see how training works.